Bath Rugby fans were forced to shelter in Toulouse when police fired tear gas at protesters.

The "gilets-jaunes" or "yellow vest" demonstrations have turned violent and the Blue, Black and White faithful who have travelled to the South of France for tomorrow’s Champions Cup match against Toulouse have been caught in the middle of it.

The protests were initially triggered by the rising price of fuel in November. They have since broadened to include anger at the cost of living, anger at the French government and a wide-ranging list of other demands.

More than 80,000 people have taken to the streets across the country, more than 3,000 people have been injured, thousands arrested and counting.

Thousands of protesters wearing high-vis vests marched along Boulevard Lazare Carnot and Boulevard de Strasbourg in Toulouse this afternoon.

Tear gas in the air as 'yellow vest' protestors march in Toulouse (Image: Andrew Sheridan)

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However, it has not been peaceful. There have been violent clashes, bottles being thrown, windows being smashed and tear gas fired by police, which has affected innocent bystanders as well as the “yellow vests”.

Bath fan Toby Elliott posted on Twitter: “Most banks' windows have been smashed in and we came across a man trying to remove an ATM. Tear gas and rubber bullets are being used to kettle the protesters."

Paul Roles, a taxi driver who lives in Bath and is an avid rugby fan, was one of a number of people forced to take shelter in a pub when the gas filled the air.

Andrew Sheridan, the BBC Radio Bristol commentator, witnessed assaults by plain-clothed police on protesters as splinter groups formed in an attempt to evade the kitted-out riot police.

He said: “I thought the march of the yellow vests at least 10k had passed off ok and gendarmerie had done their bit, but as we walked back to the hotel it’s now running riots on the streets. They don’t hold back with the batons."